Page 12 of Whiskey Kisses For the Mountain Man
She shrugs, finally extracting herself from the last loop of lights. "I get excited about projects. Once I have an idea, I have to see it through."
The distance between us grows as she steps back, and I feel colder for it, despite the winter air having no effect on me.
"Thank you," she says, gathering the lights into a loose bundle. "For catching me."
I nod, shoving my hands in my coat pockets to resist reaching for her again. "Don't climb ladders alone at night."
She smiles, and it's like the fucking sun coming out. "Is that concern I hear, Mr. McKenna?"
"It's common sense," I mutter.
"Right." Her smile doesn't fade. "Well, I should probably call it a night. These can wait until morning."
I know I should just say goodnight and walk away, but something makes me ask, "Do you want help? Tomorrow, I mean."
Her eyes widen slightly in surprise. "Really? You'd help me put up Christmas lights?"
I immediately regret the offer, but can't bring myself to take it back, not when she's looking at me like that. "I'd help you not fall off a ladder and crack your skull open. There's a difference."
She laughs, the sound warm in the cold night air. "I'll take it. Tomorrow then? After our meeting?"
"Fine," I agree, already wondering what the hell is wrong with me.
"It's a date," she says, then immediately blushes. "I mean, not a date date. Just, you know, an appointment. Between neighbors."
"Right," I nod, trying to ignore the way my heart rate picked up at her slip. "Goodnight, Lettie."
"Goodnight, Owen."
I turn and walk back to my cabin, feeling her eyes on me the whole way. Once inside, I lean against the closed door and exhale slowly.
What the fuck am I doing? She's everything I've been avoiding for years. Christmas. Joy. Hope.
Yet I’m offering to help her hang lights on her cabin? Lights that will shine across the darkness, visible from my windows, impossible to ignore.
Just like her.
CHAPTER FOUR
LETTIE
“Two large Reindeer lattes, please?” I smile at Kendall at The Roasted Pine.
“Mocha and toffee is my favorite combination,” Kendall grins, writing my name on the cups and setting them at the bar before charging me.
“Parker will have those ready for you in a moment.”
“Thanks. Merry Holidays.” I slip extra cash in the tip jar and head to the end of the bar, allowing the next customer to order.
My hand instinctively rests on my stomach. There it goes again, fluttering.
Owen’s blue-green eyes, which even in the dark of night sparkle, haunted my dreams last night. Goodness, that man gave me a fright, but the way he caught me, mid-air?
I type on my tablet to keep my hands busy as I wait for my order. His strong, barrel chest. He held me as if I didn’t weigh a thing.
“The belt helps bring in the waist, but you should cover your arms.”
Trent’s classically handsome face invades my mind. It was the dead of summer. I didn’t want to wear a cardigan.
